Ribbon mechanism for type-writers



(N0 Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

W. R. JOHNS.

RIBBON MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITERS. No. 539,683. Patented May 21, 1895.

v I c iv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

WILL R. JOHNS, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

RIBBON MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,683, dated May 21,1895.

Application fi January 14, 1895. Serial No. 534,910- (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, WILL R. JOHNS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbon Mechanismfor Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The object ofthis invention is to construct a ribbon mechanism fortypewriting machines in which an endless ribbon is employed and therebyobviating thenecessity of reversing the ribbon when one end has beenreached.

The further object of this invention'is to provide a receptacle-forholding the ribbon and means for moving the ribbon across the typewriterin proper position to be operated upon bytype-bars and for placing theribbon in the receptacle at one point and drawing it out at anotherpoint only sufficient ribbon being outside of the receptacle to reachfrom the outlet point of the receptacle around the machine to the inletpoint.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an isometrical representationof the frame of a Remington standard type-writer to which myimprovements have been applied. Fig. 2 is a' transverse section of thesame. Fig. 3 is a left-hand end view. Fig. 4 is an isometrical sectionof the ribbon-receptacle. Fig. 5 is an isometrical representation of theguide for the ribbon located beneath the type-writer and supportedthereby.

In illustrating my improvements I have shown them attached to the frameof a Remington standard type-writer, such frame being no part of myinvention.

In the construction of typewriters employing a ribbon so far as known tome two spools have been employed, one located on each side of themachine, and during the printing process the ribbon is unwound from onespool onto the other spool, the ends of the ribbon having a connectionat its ends with its respective spools, and when the end of the rib- Donhas been reached in one direction, the mechanism imparting movement tothe spools is shifted, reversing the direction of the movement of theribbon, this reversing movement taking place as either end of the ribbonis reached and this application is to overcome this reversing movement,and allow the ribbon a continuous movement in one direction.

As my improvement as shown and applied to the Remington typewriter itwill be necessary to describe such parts thereof as will make theoperation of my improvement clear.

At the left-hand end of the machine is supported a shaft 1, upon whichis locatedaspool 2, having a rotatable connection therewith through theusual feather connection, and capable of sliding in its lengthwisedirection. Upon its shaft is secured a ratchet wheel 3, and a casing 4,carrying a volute spring. dog 5, has a connection with the casing andengages the teeth of the ratchet wheel. This casing has a connectionwith the paper carriage so that the spring will draw the carriage in onedirection, also impart an intermittent rotary movement to the shaft 1,through the ratchet wheel, and upon moving the carriage to its startingposition the dog will again engage the ratchet wheel.

The ribbon receptacle consists of the sides v 6, and bottom 7. The tophas an inclined portion 8, and a curved portion 9, separated at thecenterof the receptacle. The bottom has an opening 10. To the sides ofthe receptacle are secured supports 11, having their upper endsperforated, and spring supports 12, are also secured to the sides. Fromthe lower ends of the sides extend plates 13. This receptacle issupported upon the shaft 1, by the shaft passing through the perforatedupper ends of the supports 11, in such position that the ends of thespool will be outside of the receptacle and the curved portion 9, of thetop will lie in contact with the center portion of the spool. Thesprings 12, support a roller 14, and hold it yieldingly in contact withthe center of the spool as shown at Fig. 2.

The bars 15, of the frame of the typewriter support a guide for theribbon, consisting of the box portion 16, having clamps 17, risingtherefrom, having their upper ends bent. One end of the box has aportion 18, of its top removed and extends beyond the clamp of that end.This guide is located beneath the frame of the typewriter and is held inplace by the clamps embracing the upper face of the bars 15, of theframe, and is so located that the lower end of the ribbon receptaclewill overlie the cutaway portion 18.

To the right hand side of the machine is supported a spool 19, which isfree at all times to rotate, and acts as a guide for the ribbon.

With the parts assembled as shown in the drawings the ribbon is passedthrough the receptacle, and the guide beneath the machine, and over themachine in proper position to be operated upon by the type-bars. Whenthe ends of the ribbon are secured by sewing or by adhesion, the surplusribbon may be run into the receptacle by a movement of the papercarriage until itwill appear as shown at Fig. 2 in which it will be seenthat the ribbon in the receptacle lies in folds, and as it is forced bythe roller 14, and shaft 2, the bottom folds will be drawn out, therebykeeping the same quantity of ribbon in the receptacle at all times, andin use the folds will be much closer than is shown in the drawings.

In use the spool 2, is caused to rotate step by step as the papercarriage moves across the machine which will draw the ribbon across themachine. As the receptacle is supported upon the same shaft thatsupports the spool 2, the spool and receptacle can be adjusted in unisonin the direction of the length of the shaft to present new ribbonsurface to the type, and the guide is made wide enough to accommodatethis adjustment, and the plates 13, protect the open upper surface ofthe guide from dust. I have attached a crank 20,

to the shaft 1, by means of which it may be By this arrotated to draw ina new ribbon.

rangeinent an endless ribbon is employed which will do away with all ofthe shafting and gearing now employed to do the shifting of the ribbon.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon,a receptacle, containing the greater portion of the ribbon and means formoving the ribbon, and causing it to enter the receptacle at one pointand drawing it-out at another point.

2. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a receptacle, containingthe greater portion of the ribbon and means for moving the ribbon andcausingit'to enter the receptacle, the receptacle made adjustable in thedirection of the width of the ribbon.

3. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a spool having anintermittent rotary movement, a receptaclecontainin g the greaterportion of the ribbon, a roller held in a yield ing manner against thespool, and means for rotating the spool causing the ribbon to enter thereceptacle at one point and drawing it out atanother point.

4. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a spool having anintermittent rotary movement, a receptacle containing the greaterportion of the ribbon, a roller held in a yielding manner against thespool, the opposite on d of the receptacle having an opening throughwhich the ribbon is drawn.

YVILL R. JOHNS.

\Vitnesses:

A. O. BEHEL,' E. BEHEL.

